The Memphis Tigers faced the Bowling Green Falcons on Thursday to compete in The Women’s National Invitational Tournament. The Falcons would defeat the Tigers in a 73- 60 point victory. Following the matchup, the teams would participate in the post-game handshake. A Memphis women’s basketball player would strike a Bowling Green player, which led her to an assault charge.
Photo Cred: Insider
Memphis guard Jamirah Shutes’ would plead not guilty in court on Wednesday after striking Falcon’s guard Elissa Brett in a post-game handshake line. After the game, Shutes stopped Brett to have a word with her. Following a short conversation, Brett was sucker punched into the scores table and onto the sideline. There has not been a statement released explaining the conversation. However, a local newspaper reported that witnesses observed Shutes taking an elbow to the face with 24 seconds left in the first half of the game.
Photo Cred: Toledo Blade
After the incident, Bowling Green State University released a statement saying how they were turning the case over to campus police. “The incident that took place following tonight’s home WNIT game has been turned over to the BGSU Police Department. Bowling Green State University Athletics does not make comments about active police investigations. Our priority is the health, safety, and support of our student-athletes.”
Photo Cred: The Blade
Memphis also released a statement saying how they were working and cooperating with local authorities. The Tigers stated that the incident was unfortunate and that the actions of Shutes were not consistent with, or representative of, our expectations for our programs and student-athletes.
